Challenging myself through tough times

Hello and welcome back to Sam's Blog!

Wow! I can't believe it's that time of the year! I'm getting busy with all the assignments and upcoming projects!

As a senior in college, this is a new challenge. I know I have to push myself harder to get the best result as possible but I also have to take it easy.

November is the toughest time for everyone because the Thanksgiving break is approaching. I always have something to look forward to.

Even when I make a resolution to start out the semester strong and finish it strong, I always get easily burned out because of the stress that I'm putting myself under. I gradually lost motivation as the semester went by. I know I am not supposed to stay that way but it is rough whenever the middle of the semester hits.

Also, things get really rough especially when you get sick.

Right before my birthday, I was suffering from COVID-19. Penn State has a period of time where everyone comes down with something, whether if it is the flu, common cold, COVID-19, or allergies. I got COVID-19 twice already and also got vaccinated a few times. However, I was sleeping late because I had to do homework and that eventually weakened my immune system, making me getting exposed to all the airborne diseases.

When I got COVID, I was really exhausted. I was not feeling like myself, who was bubbly, outgoing and carefree. During that period, I was exhausted physically and mentally. Along with my own battle with anxiety, COVID stressed me out. I wanted to get everything done but COVID slightly haltered me from that.

Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I easily get burned out. I feel like I can't keep up with everything and I get tired so easily from all the work I need to do. Honestly, I just think it is the mid-semester stress but anxiety is always another factor. Having medication on hand is helpful but I just have to learn to manage anxiety in different ways other than pills. One way that helped me with anxiety was journaling. Whenever I would write about how I feel, I feel like the burden that has been weighing over me is decreasing. I feel more relaxed and I can easily get my thoughts out without telling anyone.

Mid-semester is always a tough journey. However, I know that Thanksgiving is approaching and I would be able to use that time to relax and get into hobbies that I wasn't able to get into because I was busy. This would be a great time to de-stress and I am honestly looking forward for that time off from school.

We all go through a battle. It is a lot but at the end of the day, it might be worth it. We got this everyone!